Iron County School District

Members of the Board of Education and District administrators have been visiting schools. The visits include classroom observations and discussions with staff and students. Recent visits include Fiddlers, Parowan and East elementary schools.

Reminder about elections. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 8. If your mail-in ballot hasn't arrived, it probably will not arrive in time. The options for in-person voting are outlined in the image.

What a treat! Students across the district put their creativity on display at costume parades. Happy Halloween! See some of the fun in this video from South Elementary: https://www.instagram.com/p/CkZNW3xO7AQ/

Happy Halloween! As we look forward to celebrating Halloween in our schools Monday we want to remind everyone of some basic protocols. First, check with your child’s school for specific dress code policies and Halloween celebration plans. Those vary from school to school. In general, students should not wear masks; costumes should not include fake weapons; and please be culturally sensitive when considering a costume. Have a fun and safe Halloween with lots of treats and no tricks.

Please join ICSD tonight for a community night at Cedar High School. It will be an evening filled with important helps for parents. Community partners will be available with suicide awareness information, internet safety tips and more. Attendees will be entered to win fabulous prizes including AirPods and a Chromebook. Chad Hymas is the featured presenter at 6:30 p.m. and will speak about tips for a happier family life. Make it a family night with dinner at either Dairy Queen location between 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. and 25% of proceeds will be donated to the ICSD Foundation. Refreshments for sale at the event will also benefit the Foundation.

It's Fall Break y'all. All schools and district offices are closed Monday, Oct. 24.

It’s National School Bus Safety Week. At Iron County School District, the safety of students is our No. 1 priority. School safety starts at the bus stop. Join us in sharing these tips with your children. • Arrive 5 minutes early. • Stand a good distance away from the curb • Follow the bus driver’s instructions for when it’s OK to step onto the bus. • Be sure the bus driver can see you. • Sit in your seat and do not participate in distracting behavior while the bus is moving. Community members can help keep student’s safe by staying alert when they see a school bus. Remember: • Yellow lights on a school bus indicate the bus is preparing to stop. • Red lights and the school bus arm extended means STOP. Racing past the bus puts young lives at risk.

Hear ye! Hear ye! Cedar High and Canyon View High performing arts students were recognized for their performances during the High School Utah Shakespeare Competition. Congratulations to Cedar High School for the First Place Sweepstakes Award, Second Place Ensemble Scene and Junior Tiana Green, Third Place Mono Acts. Cheers to Canyon View High School's Third Place for Duo/Trio Scenes.

Inspiring activity! Art students participate in an art competition in Cedar Canyon. Middle school and high school students spent the morning being taught by guest artists and then began work on a piece to enter into the competition later in the day. Instruction on Plein Air (art inspired by the environment), figure sketching and sculpting were part of the day. The event has taken place each year since the early 1990s.

Members of the District Administrative Team and representatives from the Iron County Board of Education visit with students and teachers at Escalante Valley Elementary. Periodic visits are made to each school in Iron County School District. Part of the visit includes listening to input from students and staff members.

As the proverb says: "It takes a village to raise a child." The Iron County village really stepped forward this last couple of weeks as church, neighborhood and family groups answered the call for donations through JustServe.org. Hygiene kits, grab-and-go food bags and bedding were gathered to help ICSD students. Time was also donated to give a new coat of paint to the district's pantry doors. Thanks doesn't seem to be enough for all of the generosity, but we'll say it anyway: Thank You!

Administrators gather at the district office for a state-required Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS) training. The intent is to gain a deeper understanding of why students struggle to learn to read. Elementary teachers, including preschool, have also been involved in professional learning as they focus on evidence-based instruction with proven outcomes.

Utah Food Bank visits many of our schools once a month and sends students home with grocery sacks full of food items. The need for food assistance is a reality for some families. We are grateful for a partnership which ultimately helps our students.

Reminder: ICSD hosts a vendor presentation from Codelicious, an elementary K-5 Computer Science Curriculum, today, Sept. 14 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. in the Board Room at 2077 W Royal Hunte Drive. For more information visit: https://sites.google.com/ironmail.org/icsd-k5-cs/home

Students at Fiddlers Canyon Elementary commemorate 9/11. Principal Michelle Hall said she recognizes that students are too young to have witnessed that solemn day in history, but it's important for them to still remember. Enoch Elementary Principal Dan Ekker spoke of patriotism and what it means to him. He shared memories of his own father standing tall and saluting the flag. He encouraged students to do the same whenever they see the flag and to also thank the many who sacrifice so much for the country.

Iron Springs Elementary honored former educator Chari Hensler who passed away from cancer in 2021. A mural was created at the school to illustrate important characteristics that she embodied which help students empower others. Family members and mural artist Baylee Wiener were thanked at the school assembly.

Almost famous! Students and community members attending Friday night's football game between Parowan High and Gunnison High might not have noticed the drone capturing video footage. Film Director T.C. Christensen was on the sidelines filming for an upcoming movie about Alma Richards, an Olympic athlete who got his start in Parowan.

This year, every school in Iron County School District will be offering free period products in girls’ bathrooms in compliance with recent legislation (H.B. 162). Donated period product dispensers have been installed and will provide high-quality, organic, dignified products for students at no cost. We know that 4 out of 5 girls have missed class, or know someone who has, due to lack of access to period products. Providing these products will allow them to learn, play, and thrive without worry. Parents or guardians are responsible for discussing the need for and proper use of period products with their children. Information has been compiled by the state, and can be accessed at https://5il.co/1hln4 and https://5il.co/1hln5.

It's Labor Day! All schools and district offices are closed in observation of the national holiday.

ICSD will be hosting a vendor presentation from Codelicious, an elementary K-5 Computer Science Curriculum, on Sept. 14 from 4:30-5 in the ICSD Board Room at 2077 W Royal Hunte Drive, Cedar City. For more information visit: https://sites.google.com/ironmail.org/icsd-k5-cs/home